Capt. Albert Joseph Sabol, USCG (ret.), aka "The Captain," 64, of Leesburg, Va., passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 24, 2013. He was born in Marianna, Pa., July 17, 1948, to the late Alexander "Cannon" and Helen Zamiska Sabol. "The Captain" is survived by three children, Mark (Misty) Sabol of Houston, Tex., Paul Sabol of Slidell, La., and Rebecca (Scott) Stannard of Ashburn, Va; three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Cannon and Eason Sabol; ex-wife Angela (Johnson) Sabol; two sisters, Maryann (Harry) White of Marianna, Pa., and Lou Ann (Lenny) Abbadini of Waynesburg, Pa., sister-in-law Christine Sabol of York, Pa.; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Deceased, in addition to his parents, is his brother, Alexander C. Sabol.
A 1966 graduate of Bethlehem-Center High School in Fredericktown, Pa., he was voted most-athletic, excelling in football, baseball, basketball, golf and track. He was then appointed to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. "Uncle Al" as he was known there, became the most versatile "multi-position" man on the varsity football team and was co-captain of the golf team. After graduating in 1970 with a BS in Oceanography, he served his country in the Coast Guard for 27 years, retiring in July of 1997 as a Captain. During his tenure as a Coast Guard officer, he obtained a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and a master's degree in International Relations from Salve Regina College. He was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, among them were the Coast Guard Special Operations Medal with Bronze Star and the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star.
Throughout his life he was passionate about his family, his country and golf. As a member of the River Creek Country Club in Leesburg, Va., he could almost always be found on the course, competing and often winning a tournament, or driving his beloved grandchildren around on a golf cart. On Oct. 5, 2011, he finally achieved his lifelong goal of a "hole in one."
Visitation for friends and family will be held at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd. NE, Leesburg, Va. 20176 on Friday, April 5, 2013, from 6-8pm. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 1 pm. Burial services will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2013 starting at 12:45 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Coast Guard Morale Fund, made payable to the U.S. Coast Guard. In the notes section add "in memory of CAPT AL SABOL" and mailed to the following: Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Community Services Command, Battlefield Technology Center 1, 510 Independence Pkwy, Suite 500, Chesapeake, VA, 23322, Attn: Gary Scheer.
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